In a notice yesterday, RBZ said members of the public should ignore “any misleading statements from unauthorised and uninformed persons on the status of banking institutions or the banking sector”.“The Reserve Bank wishes to reassure the public that NMB Bank Limited is not facing any liquidity challenges and there is no threat of curatorship or liquidation as alleged,” RBZ said.
In his monetary policy statement, RBZ governor John Mangudya said the banking sector remained profitable, with a reported aggregate net profit of $127,47 million for the year ended 31 December 2015. In 2014, aggregate net profit was $52,8 million.
He said a total of 15 out of 18 operating banking institutions recorded profits. RBZ data showed that NMB Bank had a core capital of $42,09 million as at December 31 against the minimum threshold of $25 million.
A message circulating on social media warned depositors to withdraw their money from the bank alleging that the institution was facing threats of liquidation.
“To those who have NMB accounts and haven’t heard the news I advise that you move your money as soon as is humanly possible. Got a tip from a senior manager that it is to go under curatorship,” the message read.
Analysts say RBZ’s move was meant to calm the nerves of depositors who have borne the brunt of bank closures. Since the introduction of the multicurrency regime in 2009, six banks — Trust, Interfin, Allied, AfrAsia, Capital and Genesis — were closed leaving depositors in a lurch.